Alarm device



`Fevb. 2, 1960 D. O. lNMAN ALARM DEVICE Filed March '7, 1955 IIs/VENTOR. DANIEL 0. INMAN,

ATTY.

United States Patent O ALARM DEVICE Daniel 0. Inman, Blackhawk, Ill. Y Y Application March 7, 1955, Serial No. 492,502

1 Claim. (Cl. 58-16) This invention is an alarm device, the purpose of which is to effectively awaken sleepers at a predetermined time.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an alarm device to be actuated by an ordinary alarm clock capable of setting up mechanical vibrations in the bed to affect the sensory nervous system of the human body without reliance upon the usual auditory alarm mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of extremely simple nature for ready attachment to a bedstead and which is capable of being operated by the usual standard alarm clock.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to be set in operation by an alarm clock either of the wind-up type or electrical clock, which brings about alarm means both of the auditory and vibratory types when the time set by the clock arrives.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out inthe claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional bedstead showing the improved alarm mechanism attached thereto,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken transversely through the housing of the improved alarm device and showing the parts in the position they will assume when ready for use, and

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially upon line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the bedstead includes the headboard 5, the footboard 6, the connecting side rails 7 supporting the mattress 8.

The vibratory alarm device is contained within a housing indicated generally at 9, which housing may be made of wood, metal or other material as desired. This housing is a box-like structure of comparatively small size detachably suspended from the top of the headboard by a clip 10 secured to the rear wall of the housing 9. The housing includes parallel top and bottom members 11-12, parallel side members 13-14 and parallel front and rear panels 15-16. The top panel 11 projects at one end beyond the side 14 to provide a platform having spaced parallel guides 17 to engage with the supporting platform of a conventional alarm clock indicated generally at 18. The arrangement is such that the clock 18 may be readily slid between the guides 17 so as to be held firmly in proper position upon the top 11.

Arranged within the housing thus formed are a plurality of ramps 19. These ramps may be formed of metal, wood or any other desired material, and are inclined with respect to one another throughout the height of the housing. The topmost ramp is disposed below the top panel 11 and is inclined in a downward direction from the side 13 to the side 14. The next succeeding ramp is disposed a substantial distance below the topmost ramp 2,923,122 Patented Feb. 2, 1960 and inclines downwardly in a reverse direction, that is from the side 14 to the side 13. The next underlying ramp is substantially parallel to the first ramp, extending in a downward direction from the side wall 13 to the side 14, and the bottommost ramp then extends in a downward direction from the side 14 to the side 13 at substantially the bottom of the latter. Each ramp has an opening 20 therein at its lowermost end with the exception of the lowermost ramp 21 which is a ilat unbroken plate extending to an exit opening 22 in the lower end of the side 13. This opening is normally closed by the hinged gate indicated at 23.

The top panel 10 of the housing, adjacent to the side 13, is provided with an opening 24 normally closed by a gate 25 hinged as at 26 adjacent to the side 13 of the housing. The free end of this gate has attached thereto a cord, chain or cable 27, the opposite end of which is provided with a loop 28 to be engaged with the alarm wind key 29 of the alarm clock 18. The length of the member 27 is such that when in set position, the gate 2S will be moved to horizontal or closed position beneath the opening 24 with the chain 27 substantially tight. The alarm mechanism includes a ball of wood, metal or any other desired material indicated at 30. The diameter of the ball is such as to permit it to pass freely through the opening 24 when the gate 25 is opened, and also to pass freely through the staggered openings 20 in the several ramps.

In operation, the housing is attached to the headboard 5 in the manner shown in Fig. l and lies snugly in contact with the headboard. The alarm clock being set to activate the alarm mechanism at the predetermined time, the chain 27 is tightened and has its loop 28 engaged over the winding key of the alarm mechanism. When so arranged, the upper gate 25 will be in true horizontal or closed position, whereupon the ball 30 is placed upon this gate. When the time arrives to energize the alarm mechanism, rotation of the winding key 29 releases the loop 28 therefrom, whereupon the gate 25 is released and drops to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, whereupon the ball 30 drops to the uppermost ramp and roll-s downwardly thereon to strike against the side 14 setting up a vibration transmitted to the bed through the headboard 5. The ball immediately drops through the opening 20 in the uppermost ramp and forcibly strikes the underlying ramp again setting up Vibration and then rolls down the inclined underlying ramp to contact the side 13 forcibly, after which it drops to the next underlying inclined rarnp to roll in the opposite direction striking the side 14 and then passing through the opening in the ramp and dropping to the lowermost ramp and rolling in a reverse direction to the opposite side of the housing. The vibrations set up in the frame of the housing by the ball dropping from one ramp to the other and striking the walls 13-14 forcibly in its tortuous course, creates noise which would awaken the ordinary sleeper,

and in addition sets up vibrations in the headboard which will be transmitted to a sleeper occupying the bed producing such vibratory impulses as to awaken the occupant. When it is desired to reset the alarm device, the ball will be removed from the opening 22 and again placed upon the closed gate 25 at the upper end of the housing.

The device here illustrated and described is adapted for use in connection with hand-wound alarm clocks where it is desired to avoid possible inoperativeness from failure of electric current necessary for electrically operated clocks, especially in instances of failure of electric power. It will be understood, however, that the device is capable of equally eitective operation in connection with electrically operated clocks. It is also within the purview of the invention to associate electric lights to be ignited at the time the. alarm mechanisniv operates to` having parallel flat top and bottom members andspaced apart side panels disposed at right angles, thereto and connecting thersame, a plurality of ramps; arranged in spaced relationship within said housing transversely there- ,of4 and engaged With said side. panels, said'` ramps being disposed at an angle to the horizontal Within said housing and alternately inclined in opposite directions,v each ramp excepting the lowermost having an opening, attheflowermostend thereof, the top of said housinghaving'an opening therein overlying the uppermost end of the top ramp, a. hinged, gate horizontally mounted within said housing beneathisaid opening and normally closingk the same, a ball resting upon said gate, an alarm clock adjacent to Said. housing, a cord connected atonevend. to said gate and at its opposite end to the alarm wind, key of Said alarm clock to hold the` gate in closed position, whereby release of said cord from said key will release said gate and ball to gravity and the'r ball will drop. through said opening alternately striking and rolling down said ramps as it gravitates from one to the other of the latter ,thusV Setting up vibrations transmitted through said housing, an exit opening in one of said side panels adjacent to` the lowermost end of thebottom ramp, and a gatenormally closing said opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 455,504 Boland July 7, 1891 878,810 Letzkus Feb. 11', 1908 900,293 Metz Oct; 6, 1908v 924,127 Arms June 8, 1909 1,287,178 Bachl et al. Dec. 10, 1918 1,467,507 Schwengel Sept. 11, 1923 1,769,327 Wood July l, 1930 1,993,669 Ihde Maud, 1935 2,699,672 Coucl1. `,Jan., 1.8,v 19,55 2,729,094 Piety Jan.k 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 484,819 Germany Dec. 16, 1927' 

